We’ll be bringing you video when the president starts talking. And as he speaks tonight, we’ll also bring you updates on what others are saying: from his political friends, foes, and other just plain interesting stuff from around D.C. and the nation.

MarketWatch reporters have already written plenty of stories about tonight’s speech, and what may come after. To start off, check out this piece about last year’s State of the Union, and what has and hasn’t been accomplished since.

One of the things Obama will call for tonight is raising the U.S. minimum wage. Republicans are already shaking their head no, however. MarketWatch spoke with Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina on Tuesday, who said he didn’t think the increase would move through Congress. Read what he said here.

Tonight’s speech has to be viewed in context of the midterm elections.

Before the launch of Obamacare, Democrats were feeling good about their odds of retaining control of the Senate and perhaps even winning back the House. But now Democrats are on the back foot. There is even talk they might support some legislation to alter Obamacare’s rollout. The Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released this morning show Obama’s poll ratings are pretty low and most American’s think the country is on the wrong track.

Obama will probably call on Congress to raise the U.S. debt limit tonight. It’s suspended through Feb. 7, though Treasury says it can use accounting maneuvers to keep borrowing through late February. Republicans insist on something in return, but haven’t said precisely what. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew on Tuesday again urged the borrowing limit be raised swiftly.

Tom Block, a public policy consultant and former head of government relations at JP Morgan Chase, emails MarketWatch: “Will be interesting when immigration is brought up as the Speaker [John Boehner] is trying to move his caucus to a more positive position. Will he applaud or stand on [the] president’s call for [a] bill?”

Michael Waldman, one of Bill Clinton’s former speechwriters, says Obama tonight “can actually speak more to the country about what he thinks needs to be done” versus to the divided Congress. Read the Q&A between MarketWatch and Waldman.

Highlights of the address from a fact sheet released by the White House.

Obama will use his executive powers to set up a “myRA,” a starter savings account that the White House says will help millions of ordinary Americans save for retirement. Not too many details, the savings accounts would be offered through a familiar Roth IRA account and, like savings bonds, would be backed by the U.S. government.

The President will also hold a summit on working families to highlight ways government policy can support them.

Obama will also bring leading CEOs to the White House to support efforts to hire the long-term unemployed. He will also announce new partnerships with Apple, Microsoft, Sprint and Verizon to bring technology to schools.

The President plans to open four more manufacturing hubs throughout the country to help create more factory jobs. Obama will press for increasing the number of innovative apprenticeships.

Obama trumpets the growing economy, says America has bested China and is now the “number one place to invest.” Time to put aside the poisonous debate about the deficit and get to work helping the economy, he says.

The notion that you can get ahead if you have a job has taken some “serious blows,” since the financial crisis, Obama says. Too many Americans are working just to get by and too many aren’t working at all. He says he will offer concrete proposals to Congress but says he will not stand still to wait for Congress. Democrats jump to their feet.

Republicans have come out with guns blazing only minutes into the speech. House Speaker John Boehner’s office emails: “The Obama administration’s policies have increased the national debt by more than $6.5 trillion, and the president has failed to offer serious budgets that would get spending under control.”

The President calls on Congress to restore extended unemployment benefits for 1.35 million Americans. He urges Congress to help find ways to connect unemployed workers with job openings. “We are stronger when America fields a full team,” Obama says. CEOs will come to the White House soon to talk about these initiatives. Republicans are not loving this speech

Obama gives a strong call for expanded pre-school programs. He said he will work with foundations and experts to help young minority men to achieve higher education. Vice President Joe Biden will lead an overhaul of America’s training programs. He says more steps must be taken to help women, and end the “Mad Men” culture for good. The remark seems to wake up Vice President Joe Biden.

Obama calls on businesses to voluntarily raise their worker’s wages. It is the smart way to boost morale and productivity, he says. Obama says he is taking the first step, raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour for federal contract workers from $7.25.

The president deliver a strong defense of his Obamacare health insurance reform plan. He says he will listen to Republicans who want to make the program better but let”s not have another 40 votes to repeal the program, he says. Democrats howl with delight.

Obama urges moms to nag their children to sign up. Says children should show their parents how to navigate the web-site. Plus your parents will be glad to hear from you, Obama says, generating genuine laughs from the audience.

Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul emails: “While the president indicated there were a number of things he planned to do on his own, without Congress, in 2014 to boost the economy, he left some important things off that list.” Those include: designating China a currency manipulator, tightening buy America compliance at federal agencies, and launching an executive effort to cut the U.S. trade deficit with China in half.

Impressive sustained applause for Cory Remsburg, an Army Ranger who was struck by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Remsburg had met Obama a few times before h was wounded. The bomb left him partially paralyzed.

There was unity in the chamber for those brief few minutes. Obama chose to end on this emotional high-point.